State police: Copper pipe theft floods facility

State police said someone broke into a Hanover Township, Lehigh County, youth treatment facility and pulled security cameras off the walls, stole copper pipes and caused significant flooding inside.

The burglary happened sometime between Dec. 1 and Friday, according to the news release. State police said the flooding damage and stolen property is estimated at $20,000.

According to a police report:

The burglary happened at Weaversville Secure Treatment, 6710 Weaversville Road. The youth treatment facility is owned by the state Department of Public Welfare.

Police said suspects got inside the building by pushing in air conditioner units and a lower level door.

A saw and bolt cutters were used to remove copper piping inside. When the pipes were removed, it caused flooding in the entire facility.

The flooding eventually caused the building's alarm to activate and East Allen fire crews were called to turn off the water. Fire Chief Barry Frantz told police that the alarm was likely activated due to water vapor.

Security cameras were ripped off the wall. Police also discovered that copper rain gutters on the outside of the building were also taken.

The investigating trooper could not immediately be reached for information Tuesday to comment why it took so long for the damage to be discovered.